Monday, March 21st

Happy Monday! 

This week is a busy week! Marking period 3 ends on Thursday. On Wednesday, there is a science B.A. on the unit, Variables. On Thursday, there is a Math B.A. on unit 6. Students should have study guides for science and will have a study guide for math in the next couple days. Just a reminder- there is no school this Friday, March 25th. 

This morning, students read Tiger Rising and were able to think symbolically about birds mentioned in the text. Students said that birds were a symbol for freedom because they are able to fly. Students were able to relate the main characters in the text (Rob and Sistine) and show how they were similar to birds. 

Homework:

- Home Link 6-13

- Study for Science 

- March is Reading Month - 30 minutes of reading

Reminders

- Science BA Wednesday 3-23

- Math BA Thursday 3-24

- NO SCHOOL Friday 3-25 

Flipper Experiment

Happy Tuesday!

Today in science, students worked together in an experiment to see how the arm of their catapult position effects the distance the cork travels.  Pictures are showing students experimenting with their science notebooks ready to record data.

In readers' and writers' workshop, we are continuing to work on nonfiction strategies.  We have been focusing on key questions to ask ourselves while reading nonfiction text.  We introduced a new website called Wonderopolis.  Your child went to this website today to read nonfiction articles based on what children of their own age wonder about.  Today's wonder was about March Madness!

Homework:

- 30 minutes of reading (March's Reading month)

- Study Link 6.9

Thursday, March 10th

Today students started building catapults for their new science experiment! Tomorrow we will be testing the catapults in class. We also tested our planes with rubber bands of different thicknesses from thin to super thick. Some students were able to get their plane to go 200 cm with only 9 winds!

Today we reviewed some vocabulary words and characters in our books by playing "A Mile a Minute". We had fun playing and reviewing at the same time.

Homework
March is Reading Month!

• 30 minutes of reading
• Home Link 6-5

Reminders

• Permission slip for camp 
• Sarah Banks course selection sheet 
• Baby pictures wanted! (sheet came home today) 
• Graduation meeting on March 15th, 7pm, Media Center (sheet came home today) 

NEW camp dates and Counselor Visit!

Hello 5th grade families....

Thank you for your patience.  Our new camp dates will be Monday, April 11 through Wednesday, April 13th.  A new permission slip came home today with the new information. Please sign the document and turn it back in as soon as possible.  Camp will take place the Monday after spring break.

The middle school counselor from Sarah Banks came to our school and talked to the students about the different courses they can select for next year.  There is a green sheet that came home with everything that you need to sign your child up for middle school next year.  Please follow the directions on the form.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Homework:
- Study Link 6.3
- 30 minutes of reading

Reminders:
-Permission slip for camp
-Sarah Banks course selection sheet (came home today)

Monday, March 7th

Today students worked in math on a math game focusing on multiply and dividing powers of ten.  Students played a game called Exponent ball (see pictures below).  They mastered the game and also completed some of their math homework in class.

(Anush lost that round)

We are still waiting on camp dates. I'll let you know ASAP.

Homework:

- 30 minutes of reading

- Home Link 6.2

Reminders:

- Book Fair is open this week

- March's reading month

Friday, 3/4/16

Today students were back to work on the Opinion writing performance task. This task simulates what students will be doing on the M-Step (state test) in April.  Your child is writing their opinion to a school newsletter stating whether or not ONLY service dogs should be allowed in public.  They are writing a multi-paragraph response that includes reasons and evidence that back up their claim. 

In readers' workshop, students learned the difference between nonfiction text features and nonfiction text structures.  Students identified different nonfiction text features and created a definition. Ask your child to name five nonfiction text features and reasons why authors include text features in their nonfiction writing.

All book clubs met with me today, and discussed their books.  We continue to work on conversational moves and higher order thinking skills.

In math, we began unit 6. Students also have their Unit 5 BA. Please take a look, sign it, and send it back with your child on Monday.

Homework:
-March's reading month (read everyday for 30 minutes) *required
-Home Link 6.1
-Math Unit 5 BA view and sign

Reminders:
-Camp date is still being worked on :(

Happy Thursday....

Hi 5th grade parents....I want to let you know what's happening with camp.  At this time, there is no date YET.  We expect to know early next week and then we will give out information as soon as we know the new dates. Apparently, the Outdoor Center is very full and they are working quickly to find us a time.

Students went through the math BAs.  They know their scores, but I did not send home the test for you to view yet.  We have one more page to go over. They will go home tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience regarding camp.  I will keep you updated when the information comes.